Imprgvement in cradles for cutting hemp



UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

WILSON L. LABIMORE, OF BOURBON COUNTY, KENTUCKY.-

IMPROVEMENT IN CRADLES FOR CUTTING HEMP.

To @ZZ whom/ it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILSON L. LARIMORE, of the county of Bourbon and State of Kenf tucky, have invented a new and Improved Mode Of Cutting IIemp by Hand; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull and exact description.

The nature of my invention consists in cutting hemp by hand with a cradle or machine attached to a Scythe.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I take a Scythe of any of theknown sizes or forms, numbered on the drawing by l, which I hang to asneed, in drawing 2, with heel-ring and Wedge, in drawing 3, nib 4, grass-nail 5 being hung as for mowing. I then insert a post, No. 6, into the heelend of the sneed, standing nearly upright, as though it was for a grain-cradle from two to iive feet in length, owing to the construction. I then insert into this post from two to five fingers, more orless, in Drawing No. 7, having a Similar crook .to that of the Scythe, each finger having a brace extending from it to the sneed, also a brace extending from near the top of the post to the sneed, each Serving as a Support, and numbered in drawing 8. I then put a thin broad hoop, of either wood or metal or any other material answering the design,to the back ofthe Scythe, in drawing No. 9, one end of which I insert into the post near the heel of the Scythe, or otherwise contine ou or near the back of the Scythe,confining the other end to the Scythe near the point by means of a screw through the Scythe, in drawing No. 10, or it may be otherwise conned, which hoop Serves to prevent the hemp, in making the sweep, from kfalling behind the Scythe, and consequently tangling.

Y This hoop may sometimes be omitted by confining a linger near the Scythe.

of the bow may be confined near the point of the Scythe, independently of the hoop, by means of a Screw or otherwise, this bow or guard then extending up around the points of the fingers, being confined `to them by a mortise or otherwise, which Serves to protect the fingers, in making the sweep, from being broken by catching more Straws than are cut by the Scythe, and also serves to prevent the hemp from falling over the fingers when the hemp is top-heavy, and gives the advantage ofstrength. I have this bow, after passing the fingers, extended over in a circular form to the top of the post, to which I conne it by 'a mortise or otherwise; or it may be confined to another post set farther up into the sneed; or it may be otherwise confined to have the intended effect of holding the hemp from falling over, and other advantages. When confined to the top of the post, I contine a cord (which may be substituted by wood or metal) v to the bow near the post, and then extending and confining it to the sneed between the nib and small end, which serves, in making the sweep, to lodge the hemp and keep it from falling too far back on the frame; also serves as a support to prevent the weight of the hemp from strainingor swagging the frame, and is marked in the drawing No. 12.

In applying this machine I take the nib in the right hand and near the small end of the sneed in the left hand. I then start the point ofthe Scythe on the ground, and continue it on the ground throughout the sweep, and the hemp `may be either gripped in the left hand or thrown oft by a cant.

Vhat I claim as my invent-ion is- The use and construction of the bow or guard around the points of the fingers and its extension to the post, likewise the cord which confines thebow and .extends to the sneed, likewise the confining of the Scythe at the point to the frame by a Screw or otherwise, likewise the hoop confined on or near the back ofthe Scythe.

VILSON L. LARIMORE.

Witnesses:

JAMES G. MCGLURE, JAMES WHALEY. 

